Student 3_Goh Pei Kee_SCPG2400075
Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that is very suitable for young children. It is designed according to the child's age, interest and development stage. This method is different from traditional teaching. It is not that the teacher keeps talking and the child just listens. Instead, it allows the child to use his brain, ask questions, and then find the answers by himself through hands-on, observation, discussion, etc. The teacher will not tell them the results directly, but will guide and help them learn like a friend.
For example, one day, a child asked: "Why do flowers have so many colors?" At this time, the teacher will not tell him the answer immediately, but will go outside with the child to see different flowers, let them draw the color of the flower, check the information, and even do some small experiments to understand the reason. In this way, the children will find it very interesting and will be more likely to remember what they have learned.
The special thing about this learning method is:
- It not only lets children know "what it is", but helps children learn "how to learn".
- There is no standard answer. The key is whether the child thinks, tries and shares seriously.
- Many learning contents can be learned together. For example, in one activity, children will use language, mathematics, science, art, etc.
In inquiry-based learning, the teacher is not the one who stands at the front and lectures, but observes the interests and behaviors of the children and then decides what activities to do next. The teacher also needs to prepare a lot of interesting materials for the children to explore freely. Every child is different, so the teacher must also flexibly adjust the teaching method.
In this way, children can learn from life and cultivate their hands-on ability, thinking ability, expression ability and teamwork spirit. They learn to find problems and find answers by themselves and are more willing to learn actively rather than passively accept.
Personal Reflection
In the process of learning inquiry-based learning, I gradually realised that teaching is not just teachers talking and children listening, but letting children really participate. We must believe that children have the ability to think and find problems. As long as we give them opportunities, they can ask many great questions and find answers by themselves. Because they are curious about the world around them and like to do things by hand. If we can design some common questions in life and let children observe, practice and discuss, they will learn more seriously and have more confidence.
I will use this method more often in the future, with less old-fashioned explanations and more learning activities that can be played with children. I hope that children can feel happy in learning. Let them really feel,"It turns out that learning is so interesting and vivid!"
Reference：
Sam, R. (2024). Systematic review of inquiry-based learning: assessing impact and best practices in education. F1000Research, 13, 1045. https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1045
